International alliance buys defence clothing maker

A central Victorian clothing manufacturer says its new owners are committed to continuing business in the region.

The Bendigo-based Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) has been sold for an undisclosed price to a joint venture between companies based in Sydney and Canada.

The Canadian company Logistik Unicorp has teamed up with a Syndey-based fabric wholesaler Charles Parsons to form Parsons Logistics.

ADA employs about 200 people in Bendigo, making uniforms for the Australian Army, the State Emergency Service and police.

The company's general manager, Nigel Whelan, says having an international owner will open up further export opportunities.

"They've stated that they're keen to obviously see Bendigo grow, in terms of the sort of work they're doing," he said.

"The alliance will also bring further opportunities that ADA wouldn't have looked at as an organisation and also a keenness to invest in the business where the past owners were getting to a point where they're looking to exit the business, so investment opportunities weren't there.

"They bring a lot of opportunity for us, both organisations, in terms of sourcing of materials and things like that, as well as opening new overseas markets for potential for export for ADA."